What a wonderful organization and creative community! I discovered this organization at the Printer's Row Lit Fest, and a friend recommended it too, and I am thrilled to know about this place! I attended an information session today and everyone was so kind and welcoming. They also provided an incredible food spread. The space is very warm and inviting. Really positive atmosphere. It was a lovely two hour event, which included socializing, an ice breaker, a writing exercise, and a Q&A. They offer a wide variety of classes, workshops, fellowships, and free events too. Lots of ways to become involved and find your writing community. I look forward to participating more in the future. read more

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As a new author eager to grow within Chicago's literary community, I volunteered with StoryStudio in December to give back to a space I truly admired and to earn class credit through their Work/Study program. I believed I was joining a reputable, nurturing organization for writers. Unfortunately, what began as an act of goodwill became one of the most disappointing experiences I've had with any arts organization. Despite showing up, completing my shift, and following up multiple times in good faith, my volunteer credit was never honored until I had to chase it down months later. Worse, after being told I'd be contacted for future opportunities, I was met with total silence--no returned calls, no responses to emails. Then, seeing new volunteer positions advertised publicly while I was still waiting for even a basic reply was frankly demoralizing. To make matters worse, when I finally did receive a response, it included vague recollections and misplaced blame about my punctuality--something that had already been cleared and verified by their own staff as a harmless scheduling miscommunication caused by conflicting information from the studio itself. Instead of accountability or an apology, I received an impersonal brush-off and a polite "we're all staffed up." As a writer and volunteer who genuinely believed in StoryStudio's mission, I expected better--basic professionalism, follow-through, and respect for the people who donate their time to keep the organization running. What I encountered instead was disorganization, poor communication, and a disappointing disregard for volunteers who aren't part of the inner circle. For new writers looking for a supportive creative home, I'd urge caution. Writers deserve better than to be ghosted by the very spaces that claim to nurture them. read more

I have found a supportive writing family here. I started with a memoir class with Sarah Valentine, and I am in finishing a novel in a year with James Klise. Writing is hard enough, but a finding a warm and supportive community has helped this writer to stay motivated. Thank you Story Studio! read more

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Gabi. Gabi was not the most talented writer, but she wrote reviews, weekly newsletters, and all kinds of other things quite often as part of her job. She worked for a company where she was surrounded by incredibly smart people that were much better writers than she was, but she hung in there and did the best that she could. One day, Gabi spent a few hours at Story Studio with Jill Pollack. During that time, Gabi learned to enjoy the writing she was doing, to think more about the details; and how to add creativity to her writing, rather than just putting on paper (or computer) whatever came to mind. Jill also taught Gabi and her colleagues unique ways to have more fun with writing, and really motivated everyone to put their best foot (or perhaps hand in this case) forward. After spending some time at Story Studio, Gabi decided she was going to make more of an effort to have fun with her writing, to challenge herself to expand her vocabulary, and to spend more time proofreading and editing her writing. Gabi's experience at Story Studio was a positive one, and Gabi encourages anyone that is struggling with writing or looking for some extra help when it comes to any kind of writing, to call Jill. Story Studio now offers classes and workshops for writers of all levels, so there is something for everyone... I believe Jill mentioned that they will soon be offering virtual classes as well, which I hope to take advantage of... God knows I can use the help after re-reading my little story above! read more

I'm pretty sure I could live here: awesome-cool loft space, high ceilings, open floorplan, fantastic instruction, and a concentration on all things writing. At 8:30 in the morning, the idea of attending *any* sort of workshop is not appealing. Admittedly, I dragged myself out of bed, jumped on the Brown Line and headed to the Irving Park stop. As soon as I walked in the building, my mood shifted. I felt like I was back in college and on my way to one of my English seminars. The building and studio has a distinctly small, East Coast college building feel and I liked it. Jill, our head honcho of (hand)writing, is a gracious host and lead and works with you to concentrate on what your process is and how to better that process to make you a more effective communicator, writer and storyteller. As most would agree, my reviews tend to be stories rather than a + b = c experience, so I greatly valued her instruction and pointers. Not everyone communicates the same way, but we should be able to communicate to everyone. I love the fact that she's so aware that one can never stop learning and only by learning can only constantly improve -- in everything. Jill offers her services to tech writers, lawyers, marketers, hung over CMs and an assorted motley crew of folks who need to brush up on effective written communication. I may not have been psyched at the prospect of walking in these doors but I was saddened to leave them. read more

As I was prepping myself to attend a Just Get Started Writing class...I thought randomly to myself, "this could be one of those defining moments" I have...where something is said, and it changes the direction of my entire life. Kind of like last week when I visited the dermatologist and he told me I was getting wrinkles and I immediately began drinking 8 glasses of water a day and using a lot of eye cream. It's just "BAM" a certain person says one thing, and there you are...changing all your habits and attempting to right yourself onto the right track...or, fighting age, whatever ;) I think he just wanted me to buy $50 eye cream, but the class at StoryStudio has better intentions, methinks. And, as I sat in the class...it was true. Jill Pollack makes you want to write. Makes you want to just, be something. Be more than you've been, write more, live more, experience more, read more, do more with yourself. It was just the little push I needed...honest. The studio itself is warm, cozy, in a beautiful lofted brick building on Ravenswood near Irving Park (very close to the newly renovated brown line). Its a clean, comfortable space that allows for free creative motion, thought and discussion. Great vibes. Big windows. And of course, Jill Pollack at the helm, pushing people to challenge their boundaries and be a little more than they thought they could be. Truly a gem. Truly. In 4 years of college...I never once felt "inspired." After a 2.5 hour class at StoryStudio I was ready to conquer an elusive quest, to just sit down and write...without judgment or even context. Just write...for myself, for someone else...but just doing it. Highly recommend the classes here...obviously. They have many, many offerings for all levels and price points. Def worth a shot...especially if you are all blocked and busy, overwhelmed, stressed and need an outlet of some sort that doesn't include illegal drugs, tattoos, or anymore hair color. Oh, and I suck at music so that's out, too ;) read more

Zena je pisac. That's Croatian for "the woman is a writer." Probably one of the most romantic things my critical ex-love (or anyone, for that matter) said about me, especially as the words were uttered to a close mutual friend so I heard it secondhand (though probably under the influence of a few bottles of red wine). But, at some point, I started feeling less and less like a writer and more of a content producer. After spending several years editing copy, writing technical abstracts and the like, I felt zapped of my creativity. It was starting to show in my Yelp reviews too, and I needed help. Fast. Enter StoryStudio. My boss Colleen arranged a writing-intensive workshop for myself and a team of colleagues last summer, and I have to admit I was scared shitless. Jill asked each of us in the room about our strengths, weaknesses and what we felt we needed to improve. What I hoped to rekindle was my love of storytelling... as a child well before I could write, my sister recalls I used to lull her to sleep with my big stories and wild imagination. I knew it was still in me, somewhere. Well Jill Pollack coaxed it out. With her targeted, personalized exercises and quick-fire writing challenges promoting stream-of-consciousness narrative and attention to detail, I was writing with the uninhibited pencil of that third-grade girl again. When I first discovered my love of writing. StoryStudio works with YOUR story. Stop thinking, stop procrastinating, stop wishing, stop blaming it on writers' block and start putting that pen to the paper. read more

I have this phobia of reading in front of a group. I think it began in grade school when teachers would ask for reading volunteers - at which point I would begin to, ever so slowly, sink down into my seat and pray that they wouldn't call on me. So, that's why I ALMOST didn't partake in this class. But, true to my New Year's resolution, I told myself that I had to start pushing myself to do things I wouldn't normally do - and that's what drove me to sign up for this session. Reading aloud? I'd get over it! I loved to write when I was younger, but, after years and years of strictly technical writing, I felt that all my creativity was definitely stunted. Adjectives? What are those? Fun details and descriptions? That's unheard of in the business world! Clear and concise - those are the words that have been echoing in my head since forever, it seems. But, Jill Pollack's class last night made me remember the importance of details and descriptions and adjectives. That similes and metaphors are gifts in a story. That writing is about evoking emotion from readers. That every person has a different method to their writing and no method is ever wrong. Jill had so much insight and tons of great tips. I love how she would kinda analyze each of our pieces and ask others for their input, as well. It was all free from any criticism and such a welcoming environment. This is one of the best classes I've taken. Jill is sooo passionate and enthusiastic about writing that she wanted us to be, too. So, to all those in the corporate world, staring miserably at that report you just crafted - check out Story Studio when you need a jolt of creativity rejuvenation! It's like Red Bull....but waaaay less toxic. read more

When I was 14, I burned down my parents newly remodeled kitchen. For the next 2 1/2 hours I had to wait for them to get home I writhed in fear and panic in a corner of my bedroom, imagining all the ways they were surely going to kill me. This is the most terrified I have ever been in my life. Being in a workshop at StoryStudio comes in a close second. Now, I am not saying this is necessarily a bad thing, the other people in my class seemed to really be enjoying themselves and were practically projectile vomiting insanely creative stories all over their papers, but I am notoriously hard on myself and crazy analytical. You want me to not only write an engaging story in less than 5 minutes with no preparation and no editing and then read it aloud to the class!?!?! No re-reading 50 times, finessing the sentences, X-ing out large blocks of prose, rewriting again and again and making myself crazy in the process? Madness I tell you...Madness! But once I stopped shaking I found I was really enjoying myself. Who knew 8 people could come up with 8 completely different stories using the words DVD, Rubik's Cube, Teapot, Beer, Pineapple and Asparagus? I surely did not. Who knew that if you just allow yourself to be calm and just start writing about a topic, your thoughts will become so fevered and intense you can't write fast enough for your pen and your hand cramps after 10 minutes? Really, I have to think the fear made the experience all that much more amazing and it is the most inspired I have been in, well, ever. OK I take that back. Trying to come up with a reason why I was not responsible for my parents pure white kitchen having large black burn marks over 50% of it was definitely an exercise in creativity that day! read more

After completing Fiction 1 at StoryStudio Chicago, I am much more confident writing this review. This will be a short short story, longer than the 55-word stories I wrote for one class, but much shorter than the 12-page story segment that was "workshopped" in week 4. The Opening Line that Grabs You: It was a dark and stormy night when Fiction 1 began. The 2nd line, continuing the "tease": Twelve aspiring writers, different races, ages, sexual orientations, backgrounds, and histories, gathered weekly for 8 weeks to explore their need to express their creativitiy on paper. The Protagonist: We had an excellent instructor named Baird Warner, himself an accomplished and experienced writer, who knew how to translate his own experience into nourishing, educating and shepherding a bunch of beginners through the basics of writing fiction. Story Synopsis: This group was united only by its desire/compulsion to write. Most of us had done some writing before, but felt the need to get unstuck; to gain a different perspective; or get input on current writing projects. This was an incredibly diverse group that gradually came together to gently critique, quietly encourage, and offer helpful suggestions. In fact, the group is planning to continue meeting at another location. The Plot Bunny: I felt that I had gotten a little stuck with my writing. I wanted to gain some insight, suggestions, and motivation for looking at my projects with a fresh eye, and moving on. All of this was accomplished. The Setting: StoryStudio occupies a pleasant, relaxing space in an old industrial building on Ravenswood Avenue, just north of Irving Park, that has been converted to offices. The staff is very welcoming and helpful. There is free coffee and tea available in real mugs, and the students don't have to wash them. There is a living room-like space for relaxing and gathering and brain-storming, and two classrooms. Usually more than one class is going on at a time. In the evening, there is plenty of free parking on Ravenswood, but it is busy. Lots and lots of cars and people coming and going between 6pm and 7pm. It gets quieter as the evening goes on. Final Review: Five stars. Yes, it is expensive, but I feel like I got my money's worth. This was a good experience. I am not sure if I'll be taking another class right now, but that's motivated more by summer, and my intense desire to be outside as much as possible. If the right class comes along, and I am in the right place spiritually, I may very well enroll again. A word of caution: Without knowing it, writers reveal themselves. Check your fear at the door, if you want to succeed. read more

Let's face it - many of us on Yelp are frustrated writers. We are stuck in stifling non-creative jobs, dead-end jobs or, like myself, mired in our joblessness to the point that our writing has gone by the wayside. Our souls are crying for a creative outlet. Enter StoryStudio to the rescue! I recently attended the StoryStudio workshop for Yelpers entitled "Just Get Me Started" and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Our instructor Jill was upbeat and enthusiastic in her delivery of one of the main messages of the evening - "Just write!" We spent 2 1/2 hours on various writing exercises including one called "I Remember" where Jill asked us to think of a memory and start writing non-stop and not pick up our pen until she said "Stop" (about 3-4 mins in length). Then she asked us to immediately repeat this exercise by writing something "I Don't Remember." After each exercise, she then asked us to read aloud our pieces and we were allowed to provide input to the author. Jill was very helpful herself, never critical, always supportive, in her bits of advice she threw our way. This workshop was a much needed shot in the arm to get my ass moving back to that which gives me so much pleasure - the written word. As soon as I once again become gainfully employed, I plan on taking more classes here. And perhaps even one day, my writing, my passion will be my vocation - and not just an afterthought. read more

I must admit, I fell off my writing diet over the holiday's. So, being able to take the one night session entitled, "Just Get Me Started," with other yelpers was just what I needed to jump start my creativity again in the New Year. Now, the hard part will be sticking with my writing diet for the next six weeks until it becomes habit again, but thanks to Jill Pollak's tips, I think it will be easier to get back on the writing band wagon. read more

I have this reoccurring nightmare where I'm put back in high school as an adult. It's usually in a math or chemistry class that I'm forced to sit through and right before I wake up, I realize "Why am I here? I've already finished college and a Master's degree!" As you can imagine, waking up is a huge relief! You couldn't PAY me to go back to high school! Despite this, I really don't mind school. And even though I was pretty hung over the day our group came to StoryStudio for a writing class, I was sort of looking forward to it. Go ahead and make fun of me, I don't care... Jill, our instructor, led us through several different exercises to help us have a new appreciation for/a fresh perspective on our writing techniques. Obviously, we're all smart cookies ('cause Yelp doesn't hire dunces... duh!) but writing every single day can get old. Jill made sure that we all participated and that no one in the room dominated our time together. She's cool, but she also means business! I appreciate that about an instructor... at the end of the day you're paying to learn something, not make a new friend! If I lived in Chicago, I'd be thrilled to take another class at StoryStudio! Whether you need assistance with writing fundamentals or just need a "pick me up", there's something here for you. If you have the time and energy to devote to a class, it would definitely be worth your time! read more

I took creative writing I at Story Studio in Jan/Feb 07 My instructor was very good and knowledgable. Her name was Cecilia Pinto, but according to their website it doesn't appear she is still teaching there. She provided some really good short stories for us to read, and offered insight into how and where to try to get your short stories published I think the course was good, but I did not enjoy it. And to be fair, this is why it's 3 stars (oh, and also for the price). They people there were nice, great variety of classes etc. Perhaps I didn't like it because a. At the time I was working at a job that was draining every ounce of self confidence from me b. I have very little writing experience and hadn't written fiction since childhood c. Everyone in the class was really good at writing, and I kind of sucked, and I don't like being bad at things :) But seriously, I think it's a good place, it was just a little too involved for me. And it's probably good for people who already do a lot of writing, or once did (studied creative writing in college..) The classes are really expensive. I typcially like to spend around $150 when I take a class. This was close to $400 I think. Ouch. read more

As I had attended a few open houses and a Saturday intensive workshop here, in addition to the latest Just Get Started course, I am fairly familiar with Story Studio. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to incorporate more time for writing in their life. The schedule, with many classes starting at 6:30 pm on weeknights and a smattering of weekend offerings, is geared to the busy professional. With new classes being formed relatively frequently, one can readily jump in, without the strictures of a traditional academic calendar. The class that I attended was an evening session, led by Scott Onak. Prior to this, I had not experienced a class led by a member of Story Studio's faculty, as I had made it a habit of signing up for one-offs led by guest lecturers (don't ask me why). Overall, I found my most recent classroom experience here positive, as there were a number of free writing exercises that I had not considered, along with ample opportunity to discuss aspects of the process, share our writings, and talk with others in the room. Scott did an excellent job of eliciting participation (though, to be fair, most everyone who was there was willing) and, more importantly, creating a nonthreatening venue for students to read their work. I have been in workshops where one or a few participants monopolized all of the discussion which is no fun for anyone involved. I found the setup refreshing and came away with tools that I can use in my day to day writing, and as I continue to exercise those writing muscles. read more

This place makes me want to be a creative, motivated, and honest writer. I have always been someone who loves to write but I've had some slight hiccups with trying to stay on track or just starting to write down all the things that are floating in my head. Problem solver = Story Studio. I'm not sure how I first heard about this place, but I'm SO glad that I finally signed up for a class, went, and walked out ready to take on the world. I took one of their single-session classes, "Just Get Me Started", and it was exactly what I needed to get my tush in gear. The instructor was so encouraging and funny, and the rest of the students were so welcoming and supportive. I would LOVE to take one of their eight week courses, but it is a little pricey (however I'm sure it is totally worth the money) and I feel like I will always miss at least two classes due to traveling. Everything about this place makes you want to write: the setting (small round-table classrooms, brick exposed walls, lofty environment, comfy sofa, coat tree), staff (they were all SO nice, encouraging, and motivating), and other students (inspirational and very in-the-same-boat feeling). They also have these events called Write-a-thons a few times a year that I adore, however non-writer friends mock me (they just don't understand how cool it really is). Since I haven't signed up for a multiple-session course, this allows me to still be part of the community and support this studio on a regular basis. When I do decide to sign-up for a writing class, this will certainly be the place that I will invest my money and time. read more

This place is as yelp would say "as good as it gets!" Woo hoo Story Studio (see how they taught me how to rhyme?) My expereince is a bit different from most other reviewers. Jill and Beth customized several series of writing and grammar classes for my department and my one little staff. As everyone else has said, the studio itself is just great. A co-worker said she thought the building itself was once a textile factory or something of the sort. It is indeed very cool. I adore the wrought iron railings, wooded floors and loft like space. Their studio is very conducive to learning in a small group. Jill and Beth listened to our needs, and trust me we are quite a diverse and let's just say a difficult group. Everyone enjoyed their time spent at the classes and I certainly learned some great grammar and writing style tips. Co-workers said the same. If I lived closer and wasn't such a lazy ass I would look into some of their creative writing classes. This place is a gem and Chicago is lucky to have it as of its own. read more

I would have never admitted this as a seventh grader pretending to be cooler than I was, but I loved school. StoryStudio is like being in school, but also being able to eat pastries, drink coffee and talk out of turn a little bit. It has this comfortable living room-style area with couches (and bean bags, if I remember correctly) where we parked it in the morning (probably after staying out too late, like CMs tend to do when we're all together). I assume they allow groups to bring in their own food, because we also had a brain-food breakfast and started waking up with a bit of coffee and tea that was set out for us. Then we moved into one of the classrooms with our leader, Jill. Jill led us in a bunch of helpful exercises that helped us wrap our minds around various styles of writing (business, casual, etc.). She sent us home with a bound booklet of helpful tips and practices to encourage attention to detail and creativity in all types of writing. She's was so great about getting everybody involved and has such a confident and comfortable presence as an instructor. Plus, she's pretty funny too. To rob the moniker from Mentos, StoryStudio is the freshmaker. I would recommend this place to anyone or any business group that just wants to feel more connected with their words. Between Jill's help and the ideas kicked around by my co-workers, our sessions gave me some fresh perspective that I was able to turn around and put into practice immediately after leaving the class. Loved it. Disclaimer: My experience here was last summer, but looking at their website, all the info seems as current as can be! read more

Newly unemployed and wanting to be creative and to keep my mind sharp, I made the decision to finally sign up for a class at Story Studio. I was intimidated by the idea of being around other people whose very lives center around the craft of writing. But it was only a 3 hour course. What harm could it do. I signed up the day of the class and had no problem at all checking in. I was pleasantly surprised by the diverse makeup of the class, both in demographics and experience level. We're all there for the same reason. To learn more and to let our creativity blossom. The building was amazing. It was vast and industrial, exposed brick, hardwood, visible ducts and conduit. Complementary coffee and tea and snacks and a very friendly staff. I took "That's Not Funny", a class on writing humor. We sat in a cozy room on chairs and sofas with optional writing cushions. They made me feel very comfortable writing in a strange environment and sharing my impromptu work. The instructor was great. I took home more than I thought I would... I've taken writing classes before and they just spit at us the regular recycled information. Story Studio was a whole new experience. They really made me want to take one of the longer multi-week courses. They get a bit pricey, but i'm willing to open my wallet for some quality instruction. read more

Best place I know of to take classes on improving your writing skills. If you love to write but are unsure how to improve your skills, definitely consider coming here. You will get great ideas and find better ways to brain storm. read more

So, you spend all of your time and energy, and of course SOUL into a Word Document ranging 5 to 47 pages. You're so proud of it, you tote it around with you everywhere just so you can peek in on it just to know it's still there and yes you did indeed just write the next best thing. So what's the natural thing to do next? Let a room full of strangers read it. Critique it. And discuss it at length, question everything from your prose style, use of semicolons, and why on earth you have a scene with the point of view of the spider in the corner of the room -- all while you sit there, taking it all in and feebly attempting to defend yourself. Okay. So not every workshop is like that. But writing workshops can be intense, and occasionally painful. In the end, however, you should come out a better writer. You'll gain a lot from your peers and they can point out things you easily miss. Or in my case, tell you they like it, but want more. More of the scenery, more character development, just more more more. This past spring I took the Fiction II course with Baird. He's a great guy and instructor, who'll openly admit he talks a bit too much. He awesome and what you want. He also draws diagrams, which too is awesome. The space is beautiful, the location is conveniently off the Irving Park Brown Line, and everyone I met associated with this place is just really friendly and great. $380 for a course may seem like much, but I've shopped around. You're going to be hard pressed to find an eight-week course for less. Their one-day classes are extremely affordable, if you're looking for less commitment. The ONLY negative I have is that I was in a class of talkers. I'm a somewhat quiet chick. At times people would be talking over other people and that was just a bit much for me. So I didn't contribute as much as I wish I could have. So I missed out from that experience. But every workshop is going to be different. I definitely will be back -- it's a great investment in my craft. read more

I adore StoryStudio Chicago. It provides a diverse and supportive writing community the likes of which is rarely found in Chicago. The classes are key to my process, providing accountability and critique from a talented and diverse pool of peers. Class offerings cater to every genre and goal and the instructors are top notch. The small class sizes are amazing given the price points. I received my MFAW from SAIC and feel that the classes, writers and instructors here are on par with that amazing experience. If you want to write, you want to be here. read more

I took my first class at StoryStudio a few years ago but wasn't ready to full commit so I would come in for the One Night classes every few months. They offer many options and it was a good way to get to know instructors and gather up some inspiration without committing to the more expensive 6-8 week sessions. Eventually I found Jack Helbig and Ellen Blum Barrish and they inspired me enough to sign up for some of the 8 week sessions as well as become a member of the studio. I still take the one night classes, especially when they bring in special authors from out of the city. Now I am a regular and am really enjoying the experiences. I have produced some good work and made new friends! read more

I have to say I was disappointed with Story Studio. Maybe it was the class I took. The first few weeks were good and provided me with a plethora of new writing ideas. However, after about week 3, the class was completely derailed by an instructor who refused to reign in the crazies and spent too class time "critiquing" the work of those he favored. Also, no one really stepped up to the plate when it came to offering constructive criticism, which sort of is the point when you're sharing your writing in a workshop setting. In the end, I stopped going because I found the three-hour class to be tedious and somewhat infuriating. read more

I don't have a lot of experience with StoryStudio, having taken only one workshop there. But that experience was a very positive one! The class was "Just Get Me Started," a 2 1/2 hour workshop good for both new writers and established writers who want to jump-start their engines. Jill Pollack, the instructor, created an open and supportive environment to explore and play with our work. Jill is very clear in her teaching, and just enough of a taskmaster that you want to please her. Best of all, though, she's a great listener. She gave us a series of exercises, and then had students read their work. Eventually everyone had a chance to read, which was terrific. With one listening, Jill was able to pull examples from every piece which supported points she had made, or allowed her to make new points, or moved her in the direction of the next topic she wanted to cover. This was incredibly helpful, since we had just heard the piece ourselves, and could follow the connections with her. She's an excellent teacher. And she reminded me to pull down "Bird by Bird" and "Writing Down the Bones," and give them another read. StoryStudio offers a number of single-session classes, which is great. These classes are inexpensive enough -- as low as $35 -- that you can get an idea of whether StoryStudio is right for you without a huge expenditure of time or money. I've got my eye on a blogging class that's coming up... read more

I have taken several classes at StoryStudio, including three or four one-night classes, a four-week class, two six-week courses and one that meets once a month, every month. (I was in that class for twelve months.) Thus, I am pretty familiar with the place. And I'd recommend it to anyone. First of all, the space is beautiful. Perfect for writing classes. I enjoy being there. It's easy to get to (I live on the far southwest side of the city, so this is important to me) and they have parking! Jill, the owner, is extremely friendly and is full of energy. There's always something new going on at StoryStudio. (Jill even opened up a satellite StoryStudio in the Northern suburbs.) If you follow them on Facebook, you'll see right away that new courses or new events are announced frequently. It's not the same old courses with the same faculty every year. On the other hand, some of StoryStudio's faculty have been there since it opened, so there's a good mix of returning teachers and new blood. That's what you call continuity. The classes I took were helpful to my own writing. Just being at StoryStudio is inspiring, but the teachers I have had helped me realize what the requirements for creative nonfiction (and, in shorter classes, setting, dialogue, and so forth) are. The teachers are focused on improving your writing and offer outstanding feedback. They are supportive but not afraid to tell you what you need to do. They also are fine with whatever your goals are. In other words, if you want to publish, they'll talk about the publishing world. If you are just looking to write, they're fine with that, too. But the teachers I have had do push you to finish your pieces professionally and to publish them. Personally, I like that. I like being pushed--I need to be pushed. The faculty members are also an engaging bunch of people; what's more, I'm a fan of their writing. Some of the teachers I have had include Annettte, Molly, Ellen, and Kelley. There's a nice sense of community there, too: I was fortunate enough to read at one of their readings and several teachers I had not even met approached me and encouraged me. This group of people likes writing and writers. Students: Yes, you will fit in. In the classes I have taken, the students ranged in ages from 23 to 66. I was usually the only male in the longer nonfiction classes (and yes, da ladiez loved me), but the fiction classes seemed to have equal numbers of men and women. I don't think that matters, by the way. Many of the students were professionals; some were stay-at-home moms; one man was a seriously talented doctor; I was an unemployed slacker much of the time I was there. Some people were English majors in college, but most weren't. There's a real diversity of age, experience, occupation. Cost: Relatively cheap, I think. Considering that the space is so nice, I am surprised that the tuition isn't higher. But I could afford it and I was often un- or underemployed while a student there. I'd be willing to pay more, and thought I would have to. Good things costs money, and besides, these people have to make a living. If you have never worked as a college adjunct, you may not realize how little money is in teaching adults. You think elementary teachers make a pittance? Try to teach adults. Become an adjunct for a semester. You'll see how little money there is. The faculty is there because they love what they do. The tuition is, simply put, a bargain. If you are on the fence about signing up for a class, do so! You won't regret it. read more

The Creative Writing I class that I completed had both positive and negative aspects. I was motivated to learn and so it got me writing. In the first few weeks of the class, before workshops began, the teacher gave both in and out of class writing and reading assignments, all of which were very useful. She also taught various aspects of the writing process and critical skills. During this time, the teacher reviewed the homework assignments and gave helpful feedback and constructive comments. The class discussions were lively and mostly on point. Once the workshops started, things changed dramatically. For those who don't know, a workshop involved a group of students submitting written copies of their stories to other students and the teacher a week in advance of their workshop date. The other students and teacher had a format to follow to read and review the writings. The following week each story was discussed in class, while the author was silent, as if not in the room, and did not speak except at a specific period when he or she could ask or answer questions. Then the other students returned the marked copies of the story along with written comments to the author. The workshop was supposed to end with each student and the teacher telling the group what they liked best about the story. The workshop format had certain negatives. If you decided not to workshop a story the class was almost useless once the workshops began, only weeks into the session. The workshops consumed most of the class time, so the in and out of class assignments were either not discussed at all or only superficially. This cut out the best parts of the class, where the teacher actually taught about writing and helped you learn basic skills. Worst of all, the weekly writing assignments were no longer reviewed by the teacher, which was by far the best part of the class. The teacher's reviews of the writing assignments were thoughtful and full of constructive comments and suggestions. She was very positive in her reviews and helped one to see how one's writing could be improved. Another negative aspect of the workshop was that your story was reviewed by a group of amateurs who didn't always follow the format. The other students did not offer the level of written review that the teacher did, as they were aspiring writers and not teachers. The class discussion of the workshopped story ranged from insightful to nasty, based on which student was speaking. This wasn't always easy for the writer being workshopped. As your story was discussed in class, it was often difficult to keep up with taking notes and following the discussion. The written comments were different, so taking notes was important. The written comments ranged from non-existent to helpful, with at least one downright mean-spirited one among them. The teacher failed to stop the overly critical students from being nasty and did not lead the discussions in constructive ways as she should have. Of the ten other writers whose writing I participated in workshopping, only six bothered to workshop my story. Several students just stopped coming after their work was workshopped. StoryStudio has no control over this, but it is a drawback of the workshop format. This class could have been improved by more teaching and less workshop. The workshop could have been better if the teacher had been effective at leading a constructive discussion and shutting down the nasty comments. The class would have been far better if the workshop were eliminated and the writings were reviewed by the teacher weekly, as happened in the first few weeks. The workshop format sounded good, but in practice it was not nearly as helpful as it was meant to be. One other note is that my kid took a week long teen class. It was okay, but not worth driving to the suburbs for. It would have been better if it had not been in a camp format, but a weekly class where there was sufficient time to write. read more

I'm halfway finished with the first class I've taken here- The Personal Essay and I'm very happy with the class. The location is convenient with good parking and the instructor is able to faciliate good feedback and yet reign in people when neccessary, no mean feat. It is a little pricey though, so I 'm not sure how many more classes I will take. read more

I stumbled across this website whilst deciding if I should make yet another career change. I travel extensively and thought that writing about it would be lucrative. I found a class called Tricks of the Trade, Writing for Magazines and Newspapers. I have attended my first class and it is great! It is laid back, no pressure and it is filled with a great group of people. I am sure I will enjoy this class and take others. The only downside is that it is a very noisy building. You can hear everything. read more

StoryStudio Chicago offers a range of writing classes covering a myriad of genres and forms: novel, short story, memoir, science fiction, magazine writing. I found the studio a year ago, and since then have taken several classes, including the Wednesday Writer's Workshop and the Making Room class. As a writer with a full-time job, it's hard to find the time and motivation to get work done. StoryStudio, however, has given me feedback and support for my work. Having deadlines, a place to get work done, and someone to turn to when I get writer's block has made all the difference. I highly encourage others interested in writing to check out the space! Besides classes, StoryStudio hosts writing cafes on the first Sunday of each month. It's only $5, and you get to meet all sorts of interesting people, work on your manuscript, and grab a cup of coffee! read more

Open houses, workshops, extended classes - I've now attended at least one of each and am now addicted to this place. My latest, a one-evening workshop held by author, Heidi Durrow, was the best yet. She was inspiring and completely forthcoming about her writing and publishing experiences. Kudos to StoryStudio to continuing to provide such quality classes in such a welcoming atmosphere. read more

Just got home from the "getting started" class, and I really enjoyed it. Jill was really helpful. She shared her passion and professional tips with an incredibly diverse crowd without talking down to anyone and without dumbing it down. She also managed to get everyone involved without discomfort. The exercises were challenging but totally achievable. A great beginner class; exactly what the prospectus promises. read more

I took CW I and was excited to get back into writing, but I became increasingly frustrated with the class for a few reasons. 1.) The teacher had to cancel a couple of Sat. session due to conflicts and we obsorbed that time into each each, so class was 3.5 hours every Sat.; 2.) even with an agenda, we seemed to get off track and lacked direction; and 3.) we only had two opportunities to submit writing for group feedback. I was really looking for constructive criticism to help me improve as a writer, but the group was a mix of a few people who really offered good advice and a lot of people who phoned it in and couldn't even be bothered to provide anything more than "it was nice." When paying $400 for a class, which was non-refundable after a point, I expect edto get more from a class, especially when it comes to feebdback and structure. I don't plan to take anymore classes at Story Studio. read more

I have been a fixture in the StoryStudio writing workshop since I first attended in January 2005 and have also taken the Novelist's Roundtable and Reading Like a Writer classes. I can't gush enough about what an incredible experience StoryStudio has been. It's a great resource for aspiring writers to find a community and for seasoned writers to build a support network of like-minded individuals with which to share their work. Jill Pollack's deft ability to funnel seemingly unrelated literary and grammatical concepts into cohesive discussions that benefit everyone in the class is unparalleled. I am regularly left in awe--and more importantly, inspired--when I leave workshop. read more

Just took the Yelp! class last night. I was really pleasantly surprised at the "Just Get Me Started." The teacher was very engaging and treated everyone with respect. She kept very good control of the students and kept the pace moving. Her discussion on what makes a good story was interactive and drew out even the more quiet participants. More importantly she gave you tips to take away and consider, even if you never took a class again. read more

I took the 'Just Get Me Started' class, last night, and I have to admit that I was nervous going into it. I have no writing experience (other than my typical daily business writing), but have always been interested in writing fiction. I am SO glad I got over my nerves and went to this workshop! Jill was really great about making everything feel comfortable, giving us rapid-fire exercises with the rule of "no lifting your pen off the paper once it touches", and providing us great tips for starting/maintaining a Writer's Journal for future writing. I never knew how to get started, and can now gladly say that I'm excited to move forward and use these tips to get me writing every day! Thanks, Jill! I highly recommend StoryStudio! read more

I have always enjoyed writing, but the majority of my experience has been writing research papers. I wanted to give myself an opportunity to try out writing for the sake of writing. I found StoryStudio through a quick Google search and then looked up the reviews on Yelp. I wasn't ready to commit to a pricey 8-week introductory course, but the 2.5 hours "Just Get Me Started" class for $40 seemed like the perfect stepping stone to scope out the studio and see if I was ready to invest in a longer course. The location is easy to find and there is parking available. There were approximately 11 people in my class (mostly female). Our instructor, Jill Pollack, was very approachable and encouraging. She guided us through a series of exercises to help us get the ideas flowing and our pens moving. Throughout the class, each of us had an opportunity to share what we'd written during one of the exercises. It was really interesting to hear the other students' work. Jill recommended three courses for those who were interested in continuing on: Fiction I (8-week course for those who know they want to work on fiction writing), Creative Writing I (8-week course for those who want exposure to both fiction and nonfiction writing), and Writing Down Your Life (6-week course for those who want to use personal experiences in their writing). read more

What a wonderful place to flex the pen on paper. Being job free and, therefore, relatively idle for nearly six months sapped my professional abilities and my writing skills. This place whipped them quickly back into shape. The instructors were friendly, talented, and enthusiastic. The writing exercises effectively unlocked my lurking ideas, and the overall experience was quite fun. On a side note, I still keep in touch with individuals from class and often run into them at literary events. Nice. read more

In this man's humble opinion, Storystudio rocks. The Advanced Writer's Workshop instructor and peer feedback has helped out with the onerous task of editing and revising my novel. A friendly, comfortable spot to write, and meet like-minded writers and fans of literature. Check it out. read more

StoryStudio is hands-down the best thing to happen to my writing in, well, ever. Although I had a four-year degree in Fiction Writing from a fine arts college, I started at the very beginning with Creative Writing I and worked my way through. I always felt, even in the beginning class, that my abilities as a writer were being challenged. As their name would suggest, there's more to writing than stringing together a bunch of words that sound nice: writing, be it non-fiction or fiction, needs a *story*. StoryStudio will not only help you find your story, but will also help you find the most effective to tell it. read more